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Japan is keeping things as they were when it comes to married surnames

Japan's Supreme Court has ruled that all married couples must have the same surname, despite concerns that the practice is discriminatory and archaic.

Kaori Okuni, one of the women campaigning for change, said the ruling would lead to "suffering for those who plan to marry and those who are set to be born".

Most women in Japan end up taking their husband's surname, a practice set to continue after Wednesday's ruling.

But what do other countries do?

Do as you wish

In most well-populated countries, women are free to change their surname on marrying, if they wish. Many go further than that, putting in place laws stating that women do not have to change their names.

France's law has been in place since the 18th century but, much like in Italy, there is some flexibility allowing wives to use their husband's surnames in an informal way. On all official paperwork, however, the maiden name must remain.

No to men's surnames

Still your father's daughter

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In Iceland, women keep their maiden names after marriage. A surname is derived from a father's first name - so Bjork, Gudmund's daughter, becomes Bjork Gudmundsdottir - or, in certain circumstances, the mother's.

A similar pattern is also followed in Ethiopia and Eritrea, where there is no concept of surnames as known in many Western countries. At birth, people are given one name, that is then followed by the father's name then the grandfather's name.

Even after marrying, women retain their original three names.

Men taking women's surnames

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Media captionLearn more about how wedding naming conventions work around the world

Could the Avatar actress Zoe Saldana and her husband Marco Perego - now Marco Saldana - be trend setters?

The couple announced the move earlier this year, with Mrs Saldana calling her husband "a man who stood by change".